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The Qualitative Report
Volume 21 | Number 4 Article 12
4-25-2016
Fostering Transformative Learning in an OnlineESL Professional Development Program for K-12TeachersKarin Sprow FortePenn State Harrisburg, [email protected]
David BlouinPenn State Harrisburg
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Recommended APA CitationSprow Forte, K., & Blouin, D. (2016). Fostering Transformative Learning in an Online ESL Professional Development Program forK-12 Teachers. The Qualitative Report, 21(4), 781-797. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol21/iss4/12
Fostering Transformative Learning in an Online ESL ProfessionalDevelopment Program for K-12 Teachers
AbstractThis qualitative study examines evidence of transformative learning surrounding sociocultural issues in theK-12 classroom of in-service teachers, while participating in an online English as a Second Language (ESL)professional development program. Using inductive data analysis, precursors and catalysts to transformativelearning were identified to understand the ways in which 24 purposefully sampled participants experiencedlearning. Areas explored included ways in which the candidates participated in critical reflection of their ownperspectives, ways in which this process affected their meaning making of their experiences, potential foraction in changing their practice as ESL educators, and transformative learning features present throughouttheir learning experiences. Findings reveal evidence of perspective shifts in this context that complement theprofessional dispositions identified as important for K-12 teachers: the importance of carefully choosingresource materials in professional development, and the necessity to encourage critical reflection in courseactivities.
KeywordsTransformative Learning, Online Learning, Teacher Preparation, Sociocultural Issues, ESL
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
AcknowledgementsThis research was partially funded by a $1.54 million grant from the US Department of Education, Office ofEnglish Language Acquisition, National Professional Development program.
This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol21/iss4/12
The Qualitative Report 2016 Volume 21, Number 4, Article 11, 781-797
Fostering Transformative Learning in an Online ESL
Professional Development Program for K-12 Teachers
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin Penn State University, Harrisburg, PA, USA
This qualitative study examines evidence of transformative learning
surrounding sociocultural issues in the K-12 classroom of in-service teachers,
while participating in an online English as a Second Language (ESL)
professional development program. Using inductive data analysis, precursors
and catalysts to transformative learning were identified to understand the ways
in which 24 purposefully sampled participants experienced learning. Areas
explored included ways in which the candidates participated in critical
reflection of their own perspectives, ways in which this process affected their
meaning making of their experiences, potential for action in changing their
practice as ESL educators, and transformative learning features present
throughout their learning experiences. Findings reveal evidence of perspective
shifts in this context that complement the professional dispositions identified as
important for K-12 teachers: the importance of carefully choosing resource
materials in professional development, and the necessity to encourage critical
reflection in course activities. Keywords: Transformative Learning, Online
Learning, Teacher Preparation, Sociocultural Issues, ESL
The proportion of higher education students taking one or more online courses in higher
education is steadily increasing, now at 32.0% (Allen & Seaman, 2013). Despite the initial
resistance to leaving the physical classroom behind, as of 2013, 69.1% of chief academic
leaders in the U.S. indicate that online learning is now a critical part of their long-term
institution strategies. Not surprisingly, given the investment in time and resources into
transitions to the online format, positive perceptions by chief academic officers regarding
effectiveness and quality of online learning has risen to 77.0% (Allen & Seaman, 2013).
At the same time, institutions of higher education are also interested in maintaining
their educational missions, including increasing students’ understanding of the world through
expanding their “habits of mind” (Cranton & King, 2003, p. 33). Faculty are often likewise
interested in achieving similar effects, with the “ideals of transformation and social change and
the importance of these constructs for the public” (Moore, 2005, p. 77) and community,
indicating, explicitly and/or implicitly, interest in transformative learning and critical reflection
(Mezirow, 2000; Taylor; 2007). Within teacher education programs, specifically, when moving
courses online, the faculty and administrators are still responsible for and driven toward turning
out high-quality, critically reflective teachers for the K-12 schools. These programs must
overcome the challenges of teaching candidates how to teach as a leader and facilitator in a
classroom without showing them how to do so physically in a face-to-face classroom. These
goals are particularly salient in U.S. professional development programs for teachers of English
language learners (ELs), given the intense focus on awareness and understanding of
sociocultural issues (de Guerrero & Villamil, 2002; Gay, 2010; Guy, 1999), including political,
social, economic, psychological, and physical influences on learning, teaching, and educational
policy.
American teachers often enter the classroom “culturally, racially, and ethnically
incompetent” (Milner, Flowers, Moore, & Moore, 2003), while finding themselves tasked with
the challenge of teaching an increasing number of ELs. The year 2000 showed only 14% of
782 The Qualitative Report 2016
teachers with ELs in their classrooms had completed eight or more hours of EL training. To
illustrate this point further, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2012) shows a
14.0% increase in the number of school districts across the U.S. offering services to ELs, and
individual states are seeing much higher increases in their EL population. For example, in
Pennsylvania, the increase in the number of ELs was 44.3%, from 2002 to 2011. Likewise, the
number of students participating in these EL programs has increased 12.6% in the U.S., while
Pennsylvania has seen an increase of 58.8% since 2002. It is estimated that by 2030, 40% of
K-12 students in the U.S. will have varying levels of English language proficiency (Thomas &
Collier, 2002). These escalating numbers have led to more enrollments in online professional
development programs designed to fill the gaps in the teachers’ knowledge and skills for
working with ELs. The effectiveness of these programs, then, reveal themselves as significant.
While sociocultural issues are addressed in much of the education literature, and are
prominent topics in transformative learning (Tolliver & Tisdell, 2006; Taylor et al., 2009), the
connections between educational goals, sociocultural awareness, and critical discussion is not
clear in online spaces. Face-to-face settings allow for “interaction, dialogue, and reflection”
(Boyer, Maher, & Kirkman, 2006, p. 336) on sensitive topics that challenge underlying
assumptions about beliefs and values, key components to the transformative process (Mezirow,
2000). Clarity is needed to determine the ways in which adult learners engage with one another
in the online world. While studies have been completed about the potential for transformative
learning in traditional settings (King, 2002; Taylor, 2007, 1997), research into transformative
learning in online environments remains limited (Killeavy & Moloney, 2010). Given this gap
in the research and knowledge about transformative learning in online spaces, this study
examines evidence of learners’ transformative experiences surrounding sociocultural issues,
while participants were enrolled in an online professional development program for practicing
PreK-12 teachers.
Literature Review
This study was constructed within both conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
Conceptually, the research took place within a professional development program for ESL
teachers in an online format. Their experiences in the program are viewed through a theoretical
lens based in transformative learning.
Teacher Education, Professional Development, and Online Learning
It is clear and accepted that face-to-face instruction results in learning, both with an
increase in knowledge and in skills. Despite its overwhelming acceptance in the higher
education communities, online learning’s effectiveness in communicating the same level and
depth of knowledge as compared with face-to-face settings continues to be debated. Some
studies have demonstrated that online learning can result in increased knowledge and skills
(Ashby, Sadera, & McNary, 2011; Gerbic, 2011; Kokoc et al., 2011). Other studies
demonstrate that given the right conditions, little to no difference exists in learning outcomes.
For example, Fishman et al. (2013) determined that, in a professional development program
for teachers, there were “no appreciable differences in learning outcomes” (p. 436). In a meta-
analysis of online and blended learning research, Means, Toyama, Murphy, and Baki (2013)
found that online and blended learning “on average produces stronger student learning
outcomes than learning solely through face-to-face instruction” (p. 29). Teacher education
programs have slowly transitioned to the online format, perhaps due to the perceived need for
face-to-face interaction, observations, and field placements. As noted, professional
development in teacher education circles has taken the lead in bringing these programs to
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 783
teachers. In fact, teacher professional development is coming to be seen as more self-directed
and immediately important and applicable to teachers’ professional lives (Burns & Richards,
2009). With such motivated learners getting much-needed training, it is no surprise to report
that Wesely (2013) found it possible to “successfully support learning” in an online teacher
professional development program (p. 316). Her work utilized a constructive approach to
learning that created a community of practice for the learners. These findings illustrate the
importance of creating the right conditions for in-depth learning through encouraging reflection
and dialogue with fellow learners (Avalos, 2011), two key components in transformative
learning. But, as queried in previous sections, is the required depth of understanding and
awareness needed to fully implement a culturally responsive pedagogy appropriate for ELs
possible in the same or similar online setting?
Transformative Learning
Transformative learning originates from the field of adult education and indicates a
change or shift in deeply held beliefs and/or perspectives, resulting in a more justified, pliable,
and open worldview (Mezirow, 1978). Although not often applied in general education or
higher education literature, use of this theory is applicable to professional development
program models, since teachers are adults in higher education. It is also useful in the present
research, due to its emphasis on sociocultural awareness and understanding, with an objective
of personal growth and positive changes in society as a whole. In transformative learning, one
of the goals is emancipatory knowledge, from Habermas’ (1971) types of knowledge, in which
an individual is self-determining in his or her awareness of the social and political contexts that
influence the perception and understanding of knowledge and participates in critical self-
reflection of these perceptions. Underlying these ideas are humanism and its Western-centric
ideas of freedom, autonomy, growth, constructivism and its participatory view of learning and
knowledge, and critical social theory and its understanding of the dominant ideology as a
normalized guide to societal interactions.
Transformative learning, therefore, is one way to view the experiences and processes
involved in learning and the way people make meaning of those experiences. This theory also
offers the lens of a critical perspective (Brookfield, 2005; Giroux, 2003; Horton & Freire, 1990)
through which to view the capacity of learners to transform their ways of knowing, learning,
and understanding in the online setting. Specifically, the quality of the participants’ experiences
in the online ESL professional development program were viewed with attention to
sociocultural issues associated with race, culture (Alfred, 2003; Tisdell, 2001) and critical
reflection, that question existing beliefs and values leading to an expanded worldview and
change in learners’ ways of acting in the world. Further, Taylor (2007) noted, in his review of
transformative learning literature, that there might be a need for more “research about the
possibility and process of transformative learning occurring in a particular context” (p. 176),
in this case, in the online setting for K-12 teacher of ELs.
As Mezirow and his associates (1978, 2000) developed the theory of transformative
learning, he acknowledged that it is the individual perspective that determines whether or not
a transformative experience has occurred. Researchers, however, have tried to operationalize
or functionalize the ten precursors of a transformation set out by Mezirow (Brock, 2010;
Snyder, 2008). Presence of the precursors cannot guarantee that a transformation has been
experienced, but rather indicates that some shift in perspective has taken or will take place if
the individual continues the process of reflecting on and revising his or her assumptions. The
precursors for transformative learning are identified as:
784 The Qualitative Report 2016
Disorienting dilemma
Critical reflection on assumptions
Recognized discontent shared through dialogue
Explored new roles
Self-examination of assumptions with feelings of guilt or shame
Tried on new role
Planned course of action
Acquired knowledge/skills to implement plan
Built competence/confidence
Reintegrated to life. (Brock, 2010; Snyder, 2008)
Connecting these precursors to online learning, as mentioned, is limited in the
research, and is not at all addressed in ESL professional development programs for K-12
teachers. Understanding the relationship between online professional development programs
for teachers and their potential to engage learners in the critical reflections necessary to
possibly transform their thinking about learning and teaching, is the core of this study and led
to the formation of the following research questions:
1. Which of the transformative learning precursors identified in face-to-face
settings exist in the online setting?
2. How is transformative learning fostered in the online setting?
3. What positive and transformative perspective changes related to ELs take place
in an online professional development program for K-12 teachers?
The impetus for this study and the development of the research questions was the
context in which the two researchers worked, teacher educators in the online professional
development program described above and below. We approach our work from a constructivist
philosophical perspective focused on the positive potential of education to improve the world
through exposing learners to a broad worldview, including critical reflection on their world.
The theoretical perspective of transformative learning, then, fits perfectly within our beliefs
about education. Evidence of transformative learning in the work products of our learners
would not only validate our work as teacher educators, but also encourage us to look for
additional ways to foster these kinds of learning experiences, add to our understanding of how
the learners are interpreting those experiences, and inform us about how the learners are using
this new knowledge in their lives as teachers and as people.
Method
The choice of qualitative inquiry to answer the research questions was obvious to us,
as this type of data allowed us to determine how our learners “interpret their experiences, how
they construct their worlds, [and] what meaning they attribute to their experiences” (Merriam
& Simpson, 1995, p. 98). Because transformative learning is an experience that takes place
internally, it is only through examination of individuals’ interpretations of their learning that
allowed us to determine the presence of transformative experiences.
Setting
The study took place in a Mid-Atlantic, mid-sized, branch campus of a major research
institution. Funded by a 5-year, $1.37 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education,
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 785
Office of English Language Acquisition, and the National Professional Development Program.
The participants were all scholarship recipients and members of an ESL certificate or
endorsement program for practicing, in-service K-12 teachers. The program consisted of five,
online, graduate-level courses fulfilling the state’s requirements for the ESL Program Specialist
Certificate. The five courses were ESL Foundations, Linguistics, Language Acquisition,
Methods and Assessments, and Leadership, Research, and Advocacy. With the exception of
the final course, which was optional until 2012, this course selection is typical for ESL
endorsement programs.
Participants
Purposeful sampling was used to ensure that transformative learning in the online
professional development program could be observed in its setting (Patton, 2005). Participation
in the research was voluntary and not related to the funding awarded or received. In addition,
nothing outside of the regular coursework was required by study participants. Twenty-four
teachers were in the participant cohort, all of whom completed the five courses with a grade of
C or above, and agreed to allow us access to their documents for this purpose. Due to the online
format, participants came from all parts of the state, including from rural, urban, and suburban
schools. Their educational background, age, teaching location and grade level varied, as well.
The large majority was female (91.7%) and White (75.0%). They were all certified teachers in
the state and teaching at the time they were enrolled in the ESL program.
Data Collection
The five courses in the ESL program are divided into content modules and include a
variety of activities and assignments. One type of assignment used repeatedly throughout the
modules is a reflective journal, in which participants are encouraged to engage in reflective
practice and incorporate their knowledge from the course content and interactions with
colleagues, instructors, cohort members, and ELs. The participants complete 6 to 8 reflective
journals per semester. Each journal is approximately two to three pages in length, plus
references. Below are some examples of reflective journal questions:
What were the most significant insights and ideas you gained from this
module?
How will you apply this knowledge to your practice as an ESL educator?
Describe one relationship between language (e.g., dialect, variety, style)
and society (e.g., gender, ethnicity, and class). Your answer should
include a discussion of how this relationship impacts ESL students
specifically and education in general.
The reflective journals provide a view into the learning process and into what the
participants were experiencing in the program, along with how they were interpreting what
they were learning. Data for this study came from these journals. This data functioned in the
online classroom to provide the learners with the space in which to express how they made
“sense of themselves and their experiences” (Cranton & Hoggan, 2012, p. 524). In order to
limit the data to that which was truly reflective in nature, and to best reflect the development
of learning through each course, the first and last reflective journals for each of the five
semesters was selected, along with one additional journal that encouraged reflection and was
approximately in the middle of each course. For each of the 24 study participants, then, 15
786 The Qualitative Report 2016
reflective journals were determined to be of use for this study, for a total of 360 separate
reflective journal documents.
The reflective journals were downloaded from the online course management system
used at the university, and then uploaded to Dedoose, an online qualitative research data
analysis tool (www.dedoose.com). Content analysis of the qualitative data was used to
systematically code the data in the reflective journals for features of critical reflection and
transformative learning (Kanuka & Anderson, 1998), utilizing the transformative learning
precursor measurement instrument in the search for themes (Brock, 2010). As noted previously,
use of this tool as a measure of transformative learning experiences assumes that transformative
learning theory (Mezirow and Associates, 2000) can be functionalized (Boyer, Maher, &
Kirkman, 2006; Snyder, 2008). The data was coded initially for the precursors of
transformative learning:
• Disorienting dilemma
• Critical reflection on assumptions
• Recognized discontent shared through dialogue
• Explored new roles
• Self-examination of assumptions with feelings of guilt or shame
• Tried on new role
• Planned course of action
• Acquired knowledge/skills to implement plan
• Built competence/confidence
• Reintegrated to life
In addition, coding included pinpointing, when possible, the catalysts that were indicated by
the participants as being important factors in their shifts of perspective. Catalyst codes
included:
• Assignment or activity
• Classroom experience (in K-12 setting)
• Critical reflection
• Dialogue with colleagues (classmates or professional colleagues)
• Discussion forum
• Videos
• Interaction with EL student families
• PowerPoint presentations (by course instructors)
• Textbook or other assigned reading
Journals demonstrating evidence of transformative experiences were then coded for recurrent
themes, trends, and patterns by constant comparison (Creswell, 2009; Yin, 2003). Further,
analysis was conducted of the timing of assignments, content, and transformative learning
evidence to identify the temporal environment in which the evidence appeared.
Data Analysis
As noted above, a qualitative data analysis software tool, Dedoose, was used for data
coding and the inductive analysis, which enabled us to determine which themes emerged in
order to understand the patterns in the data (Patton, 2005). Once coding was completed using
the data analysis tools within the software, frequency of occurrence of each of the precursors
was identified. Catalysts were similarly identified. To address Research Question #1 (“Which
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 787
of the transformative learning precursors identified in face-to-face settings exist in the online
setting?”), we used content analysis and frequency data for the presence of precursor code.
Evidence for answering Research Question #2 (“How is transformative learning fostered in the
online setting?”) came from the catalyst code frequencies. Data to answer Research Question
#3 (“What positive and transformative perspective changes related to ELs take place in
anonline professional development program for K-12 teachers?”) was found in the co-
occurrence analysis of the precursors and catalysts and in the thematic and trend content
analysis, with particular attention given to the codes related to planning a course of action and
integrating the new assumptions into participants’ practice and new roles as educators and
people.
Findings
Data analysis demonstrates that evidence was present to answer all three of the research
questions.
Research Question #1: “Which of the transformative learning precursors identified in
face-to-face settings exist in the online setting?” Findings demonstrate that all ten precursors
for transformative learning are present in the qualitative data. Each precursor is discussed
below.
Disorienting Dilemma
The disorienting dilemma is seen in transformative learning as one of the key factors in
initializing critical reflection. Evidence can be found in one participant’s confusion about
regulations for ELs:
I learned that a child may not be retained in a grade level due to their lacking
English proficiency. This seems wrong to me. While I respect what this law is
attempting to do, I am unsure of how this will help an EL become proficient in
the English language. If a student is unable to master the language and concepts
being taught, then they should be retained for reinforcement, not pushed along
to struggle with additionally challenging concepts that should build upon what
they are expected to have learned in the previous grade level.
The author of this excerpt confronts a disorienting dilemma when learning about a
regulation that does not pass his or her common sense test. While the author indicates some
level of understanding of the intention of the rule, he or she cannot agree with the result of the
rule out of concern for the ELs. A second example comes from a participant who has just
finished reading an article about culturally responsive teaching (Gay, 2002):
She discussed communal communication styles. I have one little girl that
frequently shouts out. I never thought of it as a cultural thing. I viewed it as a
new to school behavior. All kindergarteners need to be taught about raising their
hands before they speak. Now I realize that with this child it is a cultural
difference. I am wondering how I enforce the rule of raising your hand before
you speak for 24 students and allow one to call out.
The author of this excerpt demonstrates a disorienting dilemma when learning about a
new possible cultural cause of a common classroom behavior problem. Realizing that the
problematic behavior may be rooted in the student's culture, the author struggles to find ways
788 The Qualitative Report 2016
to include the student in the classroom activities in a culturally responsive way while
maintaining control of the classroom.
Critical Reflection on Assumptions
Critical reflection or assessment of one’s own assumptions is difficult work, often
requiring a degree of discomfort. One participant showed evidence of this process in the
statement, “I thought I believed that proper English proved intelligence and poise. However, I
am beginning to find that my belief of language is unfounded.” This excerpt shows a contrast
between the author's prior beliefs and current beliefs, indicating that an assessment of
assumptions has taken place.
Recognized Discontent Shared Through Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the hallmarks of transformative learning, indicating the social
constructive nature of learning through this lens. Participants showed discontent and dialogued
with peers about their concerns. “I will share the mandate and suggest that the complacency
which currently exists is unacceptable, and that it is not ‘good enough’ that these students ‘at
least get some services,’ which is a sentiment often related to me.”
The statement shows a general discontent with the attitude of others, and the resulting
programming for ELs. From this discontent, the author indicates a desire and intention to share
some information from the required readings with others. Another example comes from a
conversation with a spouse about one of the foundational concepts in any ESL program—
respecting others’ languages and, therefore, their identities.
I actually tried to defend it to my husband based on my recent readings and he
would have none of it. Could there be a better example of linguicism than right
there? The biggest insight I have gained from this week’s activities is that
meeting the needs of ESL students goes beyond that of students that speak
Spanish, or Chinese, etc… it also means we must meet the needs of students
that speak AAVE and other non standard vernaculars. Does this mean we teach
them that their “home” language is wrong? Absolutely not. We teach them about
where Standard English is “right.”
In dialogue with a spouse, the author attempts be persuasive about the point of view
represented in some of the required readings. Although the author's sentiments are not entirely
in line with those presented in the course material, they show some level of discontent with the
way students' home languages are perceived.
Explored New Roles
Keeping in mind that transformative learning is not necessarily a linear process, but
more of a circular process of revisiting and revising continuously, it seems logical that
following critical reflection and sharing of new ideas, an individual might begin to think about
the new role he or she will take on with the new assumptions. Evidence of participants’
considering—not planning, yet—but considering how they might act is present.
I believe this information will enhance their knowledge and permit them to be
more tolerable of the changes that exist within our school regarding the various
languages. I think I now have valid information that I can share, along with a
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 789
different respect. I think this will give my students some background
knowledge. For example, I can draw the chart on p. 24 in the text and show my
students languages that have derived from Latin. This chart will display the
information in a way that they can understand it on their level.
In this excerpt, the author indicates a variety of new activities or behaviors that have
resulted from a change in attitude toward students' home languages, or less-accepted varieties
of English. The participant is thinking about how he or she will communicate these new ideas
to her students in the classroom.
Self-Examination of Assumptions with Feelings of Guilt or Shame
The discomfort mentioned previously is most evident in the examination of
assumptions with accompanying feelings of embarrassment, guilt, or shame at previous
thoughts or actions. Some participants showed evidence of this precursor.
I concluded that I unfortunately am guilty of making unfounded judgments
about people based upon their spoken language. As a teacher this is something
that I need to change and adjust in order to be a more culturally aware teacher.
The participant’s guilt is clearly stated. Another participant expressed similar feelings on a
similar topic:
I have gained a lot of insight through this week’s readings and through
discussion forums. For one, I never realized or admitted more so, that I judged
people on their speech patterns and dialects…even people I grew up with in the
city. I have never admitted that I feel superior for abandoning the way of
speaking double negatives, etc… It also forced me to wonder whether I would
still be using the same dialect as they are, if I still lived in the city. Before the
class and the readings, I think I expected greater strides from my ESL kiddos
than was feasible. After reading that it takes 5-7 years to become fluent in a new
language, I have reassessed my approach to instructing them. My expectations
are more reasonable. I now also accept that sometimes the growth may appear
slow but as long as there is growth, we are making progress. I am feeling like a
better teacher to my ESL students. I am hoping it’s the truth and not just a
feeling.
Interestingly, in this excerpt, the author has put himself or herself in the role of the students,
thinking about how it feels to be in their position.
Tried on New Role, Provisionally
This precursor, similar to “exploring new roles,” has a trial-and-error feel to it, making
the participants test the new assumptions before committing completely to them.
These are just a few areas of the regulations that I was not entirely aware of. I
now can better advocate for the length of time and the time at which they are
pulled. I will need to discuss and try to make arrangements with the leadership
and ESL team to try to ensure the needs of our EL students are being met.
790 The Qualitative Report 2016
The author of this excerpt is thinking about what he or she will “need to” do in order to try out
implementing the new knowledge and understanding of the EL regulations, which means
changing the teacher’s role.
Planned Course of Action
Actual planning of action to make changes in one’s life due to the perspective shift is
significant to the participants and to the transformative learning process.
With this newly acquired knowledge of language, I believe in the future I will
become more understanding of those individual students who are struggling
with the communication chain. I believe I will celebrate their success at
conveying meaning and be less critical if their verb tenses or pronouns are not
used properly. When my students struggle with writing, I will work with them
to make the connection between oral and written language. Perhaps, creating a
picture first or writing a familiar story will help my students with their written
language.
The author of this excerpt outlines a plan to help students make connections between oral and
written language. Although the idea of "drawing a picture" for a lesson is somewhat unclear,
the author is clear in his or her intent to help students with their written language. Another
participant made the process even more personal.
This was of major concern for me and I lacked a sense-of-self necessary to take
risks and try new things. As a teacher, I would find ways for students to practice
language acquisition in a non-threatening environment and create differentiated
assignments that account for affective factors as well and cognitive factors.
The author of this excerpt indicates a previous lack of self-confidence that kept him or her from
taking risks and trying new things in the classroom. The conditional statement "I would find
ways for students to practice language...," indicates a plan the future.
Acquired Knowledge/Skills to Implement Plan
Recognition of the need to obtain additional skills and/or knowledge to properly
implement the new plan that includes the new, revised assumptions is another of the precursors
to transformative learning.
I do think that when I teach ELs in the future, it will benefit me in understanding
how language develops, how one makes the physical formation for sounds, and
respecting change in our culture. It will give me the ability to help students learn
English in a sensitive manner, but also have some additional skills that will help
me in practical ways.
This response, written by a participant who is not currently working with ELs, demonstrates
an acquisition of knowledge that the author plans to make use of in the future. Although the
acquisition of knowledge is not contemporaneously accompanied by a meaningful,
corresponding work environment, the author's comments indicate an acquisition of new
knowledge that may influence future teaching behaviors.
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 791
With each chapter and new readings every week, I am learning and putting
everything I know into place. Some things I teach already, but didn’t really
understand the ins and outs as to why we speak the way we do. I can socialize
with my students at recess or after school using their slang, but in the classroom,
I know that it is my [j]ob to educate them with the appropriate English that they
will need to use in order to be successful in their life.
The acquisition of knowledge here includes the organization of existing behaviors or
knowledge into new, more meaningful frameworks. This excerpt also shows the development
of a more nuanced understanding of the course content and what the teacher can do in the future
to best help his or her learners.
Built Competence/Confidence
Confidence with the new and revised assumptions and the new role the individual has
to play is another key feature of transformative learning. One participant expressed the supports
that have been built to better prepare him or her for being a practicing educator of ELs:
The information I learned about different dialects makes me more equipped to
be the “expert” in my schools and provide information to teachers about
different languages. I have also gained the skills to analyze a language in order
to help students overcome differences and obstacles in moving from L1 to L2.
The building of self-confidence is demonstrated in this excerpt though the inclusion of the
comparative adjective more. While the author may have had some experience with the course
content in the past, it is clear from the excerpt, that the addition of new information resulted in
a change in the students' self-perception.
Reintegrated to Life
The presence of revised assumptions demonstrates a completion of the students’
process of revision, at least until the next event that forces another assessment of them, once
the individual has made the new assumptions a part of his or her belief system.
The more I realize that in my attempt to correct I may have also been implying
that the way they spoke was incorrect. I have since been trying to explain that
what they said was correct, however if they were in a professional setting like
school it should be said this way. I have been trying to find new ways to enforce
this idea in my third grade classroom.
This participant has tried implementing his or her course of action and is actively trying to
“find new ways” to integrate the action into the regular classroom.
Before this course, I often attributed my students’ failures to a lack of
motivation or personal choice. Now, after gaining language knowledge in this
course, I can better identify when my students’ are struggling due to lingual
challenges. Additionally, I have learned that I need to be a positive model in the
way I use my language. My pace of speaking when I teach has slowed and I try
to be direct and simple in my directions.
792 The Qualitative Report 2016
This author is also integrating the new perceptions of her students and his or her role as a
teacher into her practice with ELs.
Of the ten precursors, the most commonly occurring precursors in the reflective journals
were the (a) critical assessment of assumptions; (b) the exploration of new roles, relationships,
and action; (c) the acquisition knowledge and skills to implement plans.
Research Question #2: “How is transformative learning fostered in the online
setting?” To determine the ways in which transformative learning was happening, evidence of
the catalysts cited by participants as significant were recorded and analyzed. By far, the most
commonly cited point of departure for changing perspectives appeared to be the readings, either
in a textbook or article assigned during the ESL program. The second most commonly cited
catalyst was an assignment or activity from the coursework. The catalysts are listed below, in
order of citation frequency by the participants:
• Textbook or journal article reading
• Assignment or activity
• Critical reflection
• Class experience (in K-12 setting)
• Videos
• Interaction with EL student families
• Dialogue with colleagues (classmates or professional colleagues)
• Discussion forum
• PowerPoint presentations (by course instructors)
Surprisingly, the least cited possible catalyst in the coding was the PowerPoint
presentations prepared by the instructors and provided in nearly every learning module
throughout the program. Also interesting to note is the low frequency with which the
participants cited their classmates from the discussion forums, a site of online interaction.
Research Question #3: “What positive and transformative perspective changes related
to ELs take place in an online professional development program for K-12 teachers?” Evidence
for determining what positive and transformative perspective changes are present was found in
two separate parts of the data.
The first is in an exploration of the co-occurrence of the precursors and catalyst codes.
As noted previously, the textbook and other assigned readings and assignments and activities
were the most frequently mentioned catalysts. Any precursor associated with those two
catalysts, then, would be direct outcomes that could potentially have a positive affect on ELs.
Occurring together with the textbook and readings, for example, were the critical assessment
of assumptions, acquiring knowledge and skills to implement plans, and self-examination and
feelings of shame, fear, guilt, or anger. With the assignments or activities were disorienting
dilemmas, planning a course of action, and provisional trying of new roles. Building self-
confidence, discontent, sharing with colleagues, and reintegrating into one’s life were all
evenly dispersed across the different catalysts.
The second way of answering research question #3 is by isolating the precursors that
have to do with taking action and ELs. For example, a participant details how he or she is using
a teaching model in class, which is increasing the teacher’s self-confidence:
Since reading [the textbook] my lessons have included language objectives that
were planned prior to the delivery of the lesson. I feel like I am accomplishing
more with each lesson. I also have found that my students as a whole are
retaining more of the words that I focus on in a lesson. In addition, I am seeing
the words in their writing as well as in connections during readers’ workshop.
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 793
In this excerpt, the author makes a direct connection between the required course
readings and the perceived effectiveness of their lessons. The greater sense of accomplishment
that the author attributes to the readings demonstrates a clear development of self-confidence.
Another participant made a similar statement, but this time, indicates a plan to change the role
he or she has previously held in the classroom:
The [reading] will begin to influence my teaching immediately. When planning
my activities for next week, I will integrate some of these strategies. I am
planning to use a seven-step process to introduce new vocabulary words next
week. Also, I will differentiate instruction with the [reading]. I have some
students who are very good readers, but have some difficulty with meaning (in
English). I will be trying some of the activities using the polysemous words to
try to target this weakness.
In this excerpt, the author indicates a direct change in his or her own teaching behaviors. The
intention to try new activities, and include new teaching strategies shows that the author may
be considering a new role as a different kind of teacher.
Discussion
Findings from the use of the transformative learning theoretical framework to explore
perspective shifts occurring in an online ESL professional development program reveal
positive changes that will benefit English language learners in the classroom. The data analysis
described above indicates the presence of evidence of shifts in perspectives of program
participants on sociocultural issues, something significant not only for the children, but also
for teacher preparation programs, as evidenced by the National Council of Accreditation for
Teacher Education (NCATE). Specifically, these changes are highlighted in NCATE’s
expectations, wherein institutions “assess professional dispositions based on observable
behaviors in educational settings” (Professional dispositions, n.d.). NCATE further defines
these professional dispositions as “fairness and the belief that all students can learn”
(Professional dispositions, n.d.).
The perspective shifts appear to occur most often during periods of time when racial
and social class awareness and understanding are the focus of the content, and when the course
instructors attempt to foster critical reflection through questions designed to encourage in-depth
analysis of one’s own beliefs. As noted by Cranton and Taylor (2012), it is possible that the
teaching practices in the professional development program fostered transformative learning,
but without question, the learner has to be ready for a change, the context has to be right, and
outside factors play a role in any transformation. One of the limitations of this study is the
purposeful sampling, which does not readily allow for generalizability to other populations.
The participants consisted mainly of self-directed learners, often the kind of students who are
drawn to online education. All of the study participants were employed teachers who were
seeking to further their professional skills. While some of them may have been motivated to
participate in the course by pay increases or issues of job security, the group as a whole
consisted of self-selected learners with an intrinsic motivation to learn more about teaching
English to ELs. This motivation may indicate a readiness for change on the part of the
participants, making them more likely to be open to perspective shifts.
Another limitation is the stated objectives of the program in which the participants were
enrolled, which include topics that are designed to encourage critical reflection, as well as the
educational philosophy of the researchers, who in this case, helped write the curriculum. The
data used in the study were excerpts taken directly from reflective journal assignments that
794 The Qualitative Report 2016
often explicitly requested students to reflect on their personal and professional experiences in
light of the readings and coursework. This act of overt and required reflection might be one of
the reasons for the amount of reflection noted. Online courses that do not make explicit requests
for reflection, or design readings and coursework in a way that elicits reflection, may not show
evidence of TL precursors.
The excerpts taken from the assignments in the program indicate that textbook readings
and other assigned readings appeared to be the single most important factor in stimulating
critical reflection. Although the finding is not surprising, it may contrast with the activities that
are traditionally believed to stimulate critical reflection in face-to-face classes. The significance
of readings in an online program can be attributed to several different factors, including learner
motivation, the quality of the texts, and the structure and content of the readings and
assignments. Each of the texts in this sequence of courses was carefully chosen for its
immediate applicability in the classrooms of in-service teachers, as well as for its ability to
challenge commonly held beliefs in the K-12 teacher population. The texts themselves often
spoke directly to teachers' experiences in the classroom, providing both positive and negative
examples of teacher behaviors. The textbooks in particular often included reflective questions
suitable only for in-service teachers. Teachers who were looking for ways to meet the challenge
of educating ELs in their schools could find the most current and most sound answers to their
questions in a careful reading of these texts. Surprisingly, the discussion forums were not noted
as significant catalysts for transformative learning precursors. Given the online setting,
building a community of learners to encourage dialogue would seem to be an essential piece in
the process of transformative learning (Boyd & Meyers, 1998).
From a theoretical perspective, additional analysis of the data should be undertaken to
enhance the accuracy of interpretation of the transformative features. The precursor tool
(Brock, 2010; Snyder 2008), while useful for uncovering insights and revealing possible
transformation, does not provide adequate nuanced analysis of the types of belief
transformations that are taking place. Further exploration can be done using Mezirow’s (2000,
2012) concept of “meaning schemes,” which are the beliefs that make up a person’s meaning
perspective or frame of reference through which the world is viewed. A meaning schemes
analysis of the data would allow for a more thorough understanding of how much development
of the transformative features is taking place.
In light of the findings and despite the limitations of the study, several
recommendations can be made to online instructors and course designers who are seeking to
increase the frequency of transformative learning precursors demonstrated by program
participants. Because of the power of textbook and course readings to elicit transformative
learning precursors, special attention should be given to the selection of texts to encourage
“development and of both insight and knowledge…to educate the whole person” (Smith, 2012,
p. 413). Such texts for online programs should be selected carefully to address the specific
needs of the candidates and help them build on their existing skill set and knowledge base.
Additionally, meaningful and focused readings should be paired with assignments that
explicitly request the participants to reflect on their experiences and include references to the
assigned readings and activities. These findings indicate that the transformative spaces created
online are also dependent on the learners themselves. Motivated and self-directed learners
appear to be one of the most important factors in fostering transformative learning, particularly
when the perspective shifts take place around sociocultural issues. We suggest that researchers
move forward in applying transformative learning theory to the process of teacher preparation
and professional development.
Karin Sprow Forte and David Blouin 795
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Author Note
Karin Sprow Forté, Ed.D, is Project Director and Lecturer for the ESL Certificate
Program in Teacher Education at Penn State Harrisburg. Her research areas of interest include
sociocultural issues in learning and second language acquisition. Correspondence regarding
this article can be addressed directly to: [email protected].
David Blouin, M.Ed., is adjunct instructor for the ESL Certificate Program at Penn
State Harrisburg.
Copyright 2016: Karin Sprow Forte, David Blouin, and Nova Southeastern University.
Acknowledgement
This study was funded in part by a $1.54 million grant from the U.S. Department of
Education, Office of English Language Acquisition, National Professional Development
Program, T365Z110200.
Article Citation
Forte., K. S., & Blouin, D. (2016). Fostering transformative learning in an online ESL
professional development program for K-12 teachers. The Qualitative Report, 21(4),
781-797. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol21/iss4/12
